Long-term results of wrist arthrodeses fixed with self-reinforced polylevolactic acid implants in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Implants made of self-reinforcing polylevolactic acid (SR-PLLA) have been successfully used in arthrodeses of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No lone-term evaluation on bioabsorbable fixation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been published so far.

METHODS:

In this study 21 wrist fusions were performed on 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis by using SR-PLLA rods as fixation devices. The follow-up time was 3-8 years (mean 5.4 years).

RESULTS:

The results showed one non-union but no infections or problems associated with the bioabsorbable implants used.

CONCLUSION:

According to this study, fixation of wrist arthrodesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be performed by using SR-PLLA implants with favourable results. The benefit of this method is the avoidance of the removal operation of fixation devices.

• Authors: N H Voutilainen, H V Pätiälä, T J Juutilainen, P U Rokkanen
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology (Scand J Rheumatol) Vol. 30 Issue 3 Pg. 149-53 ( 2001) ISSN: 0300-9742 [Print] England
• PMID: 11469524 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Absorbable Implants
• Adult
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Arthrodesis
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Radiography
• Treatment Outcome
• Wrist Joint (diagnostic imaging, surgery)